LOCKDOWN 3
After indecision the shameful and weakness bungling, of our Government, it’s time for the strength, self sacrifice and kindness of the people. Once again, it’s down to us...
BORIS Johnson did yet another U-turn last night as he ordered schools to close – while finally imposing a national lockdown.
The move came just 24 hours after the PM insisted they should stay open, despite warnings of the risks.
He appealed to the nation to do the right thing by following the tougher rules – after months of his dithering and blunders. Mr Johnson said: “More than ever we must pull together.”
The latest lockdown will last at least seven weeks, with most shops and all hospitality closed down.
But there was a glimmer of hope yesterday after the Oxford vaccine was given to Britain’s first patient.
BORIS Johnson continued his embarrassing catch-up routine yesterday as he finally imposed a national lockdown with the mutant Covid virus raging.
The dithering PM made his move a day after Keir Starmer called for tougher restrictions and hours after Nicola Sturgeon brought them in for Scotland.
Just 24 hours earlier, Mr Johnson had insisted schools in England must stay open and sent pupils back today to those the Government had not already ordered to close – despite warnings from scientists about the risk.
But in an address from No10 he last night declared they must all shut until at least mid-February – leaving the nation’s hopes pinned on the roll out of Covid vaccines.
All non- essential shops not already closed must shut from tomorrow, along with hospitality.
In another chaotic day, Mr Johnson began by announcing he would bring in tougher measures
“in due course”. But by 2pm when Ms Sturgeon made her announcement it was clear he was already being left behind. He then hastily declared he had an announcement of his own
– and promised a briefing at 7pm. That never happened, arousing suspicions No10 was still hurriedly working on policy.
Even members of his own party were begging Mr Johnson to act.
Forme r Heal th Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “We know that we are talking about essentially a 12-week period by the end of which everyone who needs to will have been vaccinated. For the sake of that period it is just worth biting the bullet on this.” Closing down Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said: “It is no exaggeration to say that I am more concerned about the situation we face now than I have been at any time since last March.” Mr Johnson followed that six hours later by declaring: “I know how tough this is, I know how frustrated you are and I know you have had more than enough of Government guidance about defeating this virus, but now more than ever we must pull together.
“The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet but I really do believe that we are entering the last phase of the struggle.”
Mr Starmer said: “These measures are necessary and we support them. The coming weeks are going to be difficult, but we must all pull together to get control of the virus and get the vaccine rolled out. Stay at home, protect our NHS, vaccinate Britain.”
The UK death toll yesterday rose by 407 to 75,431. Another 2,434
patients were admitted to hospital, taking to 23,823 the total currently being treated on wards for Covid-19.
Experts fear worse is yet to come. Many people who may be suffering symptoms after becoming infected as households mixed over Christmas are unlikely to have yet become sick enough to be admitted to hospital. Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre, the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers lifted the coronavirus alert level from four to five – the top category – for the first time.
They said in a joint statement:
“Many parts of the health systems are already under pressure.
“Cases are rising almost everywhere, in much of the country driven by the new more transmissible variant. We are not confident that the NHS can handle a further sustained rise in cases and without further action there is a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days.” Mr Johnson’s move takes Britain back to the first days of the pandemic, when he promised to have it under control in 12 weeks, then continued with his over-optimistic predictions, insisted Christmas would be back to normal.
Everyone is now banned from meeting others outside their household or bubble – indoors or outdoors. The only exemption is one person can take exercise outside with another from a different household.
If clinically vulnerable people were shielding before, they must do so again. Restaurants, cafes, pubs and other hospitality venues have to shut while food outlets can only offer takeaways. Childcare bubbles stay in place so grandparents can still babysit, as long as they are already part of the same bubble and are not shielding or clinically vulnerable.
All gyms and pools must close, along with tennis courts and golf courses. Team sports are banned, apart from elite areas such as the Premier League. Most students cannot return to university.
The lockdown came 12 hours after the first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was given to a patient.
Trying to lift the gloom, Mr Johnson said: “With every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against Covid and in favour of the British people. And, thanks to the miracle of science, not only is the end in sight, we know exactly how we will get there.”
The lockdown will last at least seven weeks. The first review will be in the week beginning February 15.